Schumer urges funding for Inner Loop, STAMP

Sen. Charles Schumer on Thursday called on state and federal transportation officials to provide funding for the removal of a section of Rochester’s Inner Loop and the development of a high technology manufacturing site in Genesee County.

In a letter to the Federal Highway Administration and the state Department of Transportation, Schumer, D-N.Y., asked that the two projects be given priority for funding. The letter was sent to FHA administrator Victor Mendez and DOT commissioner Joan McDonald.

The city of Rochester wants to remove the Inner Loop on the east side, and is seeking $15.5 million for the work, which would reconnect downtown businesses and neighborhoods and create prime real estate in the East End, Schumer said.

Schumer also supports $22.5 million in funding to upgrade Route 77 in the Genesee County town of Alabama to accommodate the Science, Technology and Advanced Manufacturing Park.

The funding for both projects would come through the competitive Strategic Transportation Enhancement Programs, Schumer said.

“Local transportation officials in Rochester have included these transformative projects on their list for federal highway dollars, and I’m urging the state to get behind job-creating investments that would be a huge step forward for regional development in Rochester and Genesee County,” Schumer said in a statement.

The city wants to remove a section of the Inner Loop and replace it with an at-grade boulevard. The work would result in nine acres of new real estate along the East End and Monroe Avenue, adding $6.8 million to the city tax base, Schumer said.